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Destiny Cycle #4
Threads of Destiny: Volume 1
The tournament is past, the Inner Sect achieved, and Ling Qi has chosen the path of her life going forward. Retainer to the heir of the province, an absurd step up from a girl who lived on the street a year before. Now she faces a strange prospect, peace. There are no great tournaments in her immediate future, no desperate battles to maintain her station. Formal duels and skill challenges just aren't the same. But she has much to learn, and now that she has proven herself, the Argent Peak Sect has much to teach an inner disciple. With her first great hurdle past, Ling Qi will find her greatest challenge might just be her own self, and whether she can adhere to the ideals she has chosen. Inspired by ancient folklore, modern martial arts and Xianxia, this fantasy novel offers a mixture of life and action while developing a world both fantastic in setting yet familiar in the humanity of its inhabitants.
763 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2022
66 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 23, 2023
Notes:
Destiny Cycle is a serial style story with episodic arcs within a main arc. It has many flaws, but enough fun elements to entertain me as a popcorn read.
Lots of transitional stuff happening, but some of it could have been done in different manners rather than emphasizing the same set of topics that the MC needs to change/adjust/develop. I'd be happy with more scenes that deals with cultivation & how the MC learns to incorporate her interests & learning into her skillset.
I keep forgetting the MC is around 14-15 years old, but some of that can be glossed over since cultivation seems to make people less human and more like a force of nature.
Destiny Cycle is a serial style story with episodic arcs within a main arc. It has many flaws, but enough fun elements to entertain me as a popcorn read.
Lots of transitional stuff happening, but some of it could have been done in different manners rather than emphasizing the same set of topics that the MC needs to change/adjust/develop. I'd be happy with more scenes that deals with cultivation & how the MC learns to incorporate her interests & learning into her skillset.
I keep forgetting the MC is around 14-15 years old, but some of that can be glossed over since cultivation seems to make people less human and more like a force of nature.
November 12, 2022
Pretty slow. Avoids many of the worst tropes of the cultivation genre.
Combat isn't very interesting, and learning new skills or increasing skill level is basically just an expository that it happens without any detail or sense of struggle.
There's progression without the sense of the MC actually working for it.
Most of the combat is pretty low stakes, with the MC out-classing her opponents in basically every battle.
Combat isn't very interesting, and learning new skills or increasing skill level is basically just an expository that it happens without any detail or sense of struggle.
There's progression without the sense of the MC actually working for it.
Most of the combat is pretty low stakes, with the MC out-classing her opponents in basically every battle.
November 10, 2022
So the question is, should I continue this series with this new arc? The first trilogy the first arc was interesting and I might want to continue yes?
Well, do you like a 'hyper' realistic plot and character development that reads like a slice of life history lesson of what a real person would make their choices when considering family, friends and future? Then keep reading.
However, did you want a 'story'...A story where a common girl who nobody thought could make it pushed past all barriers to keep striving to rise to the top? A story of a girl who's first awakening was that of wind and the concept of freedom? One who wouldn't be bound and would always want to have choices? Well, sorry that isn't this story.
This is the story of mediocrity.
This is the story of when a girl who showed great talent and multiple options some risky and some safe but the more risk the more freedom, picked the safe collared life of a slave, excuse me, "Servant".
Yes the last choice of who she became enslaved to made no sense, she spent the first books all building up how she wanted to be free, how she didn't want others to choose what she could do or how high she could rise. You wanted to see a story of a girl who bound a legendary spirit, perhaps she would bind that flood dragon and then a tiger, find the last phoenix and get all four legendary spirits? Not happening.
So, this arc. We come back to the girl who has become a slave. Some might claim it's not the same thing, but let's look on this. Other Barons, are free to pick where they settle, how they run their barony and what to do with their time and cultivation so long as they pay their taxes after they are settled. Now we go to our character, She isn't allowed to speak her mind or she will be 'punished' by her owner. She isn't allowed to wear what she wants unless her owner approves of it. She isn't allowed to do what she wants unless it goes with her owner's wishes.
She hates parties and social gatherings, yet her owner has decided she needs to go to them and spend time there instead of cultivating. In fact her owner has decided she might not even get to run her own barony but instead be sent to the capital to play her music at parties. Remind you, the whole reason she picked the safe owned route was to make a home, one which of course she could have done as a sect member.
Her cultivation she was so proud of? Her goal to become first of her class and keep rising? Well now her owner's mother has said she needs to place a certain space behind her daughter. So our main character no longer looks to become the top, she is now looking to just stay close behind her owner, not surpass her.
She didn't pick to go to golden sands because she didn't want to get married? Well her owner has said she is going to be sold off at some point. Most likely to join another house than have someone join 'hers'. Just waiting for the 'property' to increase in value once she gains higher cultivation. Still the only reason our main character hasn't been sold off in marriage to someone is because no one has made a good enough offer. So now even her body is going to be sold with no say in it. Which she should refuse because of her past trauma when it comes to physical interactions but...she won't deny her owner.
Her cultivation has of course slowed due to all this, instead of focusing all her time on being strong and making her spirits stronger. She is spending lots of times at parties, studying nobles, taking notes for her owner who has no time to go to classes and so on.
So, we have the girl who could have rose to the top. Chained herself to serve someone 'for life' because she literally can't leave now that she swore her oath. Instead of being free and focusing on her cultivation and her own goals. She took the 'safe' logical path to follow someone she barely knew for life when she's only 15 and enslave herself tighter than even normal barons would to that family. She has no choices on who she married, when she can cultivate, where she is going to settle, who she can ask to join her family, how she can act, how she can dress or even how she treats her mortal family. She needs her owners approval for it all.
In closing, you want a book of where a girl who had a bright future and gave it all up for a safe life owned by a powerful family? This is your series. Great character interactions and development of relationships, very realistic.
Wanted a fun story where a girl goes against the odds, takes the risks and makes her own choices? A girl who rises to the top on her own merits and not due to gifts from wealthy people? Nope. This isn't for you. There is no great tales here of daring adventure. Just someone willingly putting a collar on their neck for a chance at safety.
Well, do you like a 'hyper' realistic plot and character development that reads like a slice of life history lesson of what a real person would make their choices when considering family, friends and future? Then keep reading.
However, did you want a 'story'...A story where a common girl who nobody thought could make it pushed past all barriers to keep striving to rise to the top? A story of a girl who's first awakening was that of wind and the concept of freedom? One who wouldn't be bound and would always want to have choices? Well, sorry that isn't this story.
This is the story of mediocrity.
This is the story of when a girl who showed great talent and multiple options some risky and some safe but the more risk the more freedom, picked the safe collared life of a slave, excuse me, "Servant".
Yes the last choice of who she became enslaved to made no sense, she spent the first books all building up how she wanted to be free, how she didn't want others to choose what she could do or how high she could rise. You wanted to see a story of a girl who bound a legendary spirit, perhaps she would bind that flood dragon and then a tiger, find the last phoenix and get all four legendary spirits? Not happening.
So, this arc. We come back to the girl who has become a slave. Some might claim it's not the same thing, but let's look on this. Other Barons, are free to pick where they settle, how they run their barony and what to do with their time and cultivation so long as they pay their taxes after they are settled. Now we go to our character, She isn't allowed to speak her mind or she will be 'punished' by her owner. She isn't allowed to wear what she wants unless her owner approves of it. She isn't allowed to do what she wants unless it goes with her owner's wishes.
She hates parties and social gatherings, yet her owner has decided she needs to go to them and spend time there instead of cultivating. In fact her owner has decided she might not even get to run her own barony but instead be sent to the capital to play her music at parties. Remind you, the whole reason she picked the safe owned route was to make a home, one which of course she could have done as a sect member.
Her cultivation she was so proud of? Her goal to become first of her class and keep rising? Well now her owner's mother has said she needs to place a certain space behind her daughter. So our main character no longer looks to become the top, she is now looking to just stay close behind her owner, not surpass her.
She didn't pick to go to golden sands because she didn't want to get married? Well her owner has said she is going to be sold off at some point. Most likely to join another house than have someone join 'hers'. Just waiting for the 'property' to increase in value once she gains higher cultivation. Still the only reason our main character hasn't been sold off in marriage to someone is because no one has made a good enough offer. So now even her body is going to be sold with no say in it. Which she should refuse because of her past trauma when it comes to physical interactions but...she won't deny her owner.
Her cultivation has of course slowed due to all this, instead of focusing all her time on being strong and making her spirits stronger. She is spending lots of times at parties, studying nobles, taking notes for her owner who has no time to go to classes and so on.
So, we have the girl who could have rose to the top. Chained herself to serve someone 'for life' because she literally can't leave now that she swore her oath. Instead of being free and focusing on her cultivation and her own goals. She took the 'safe' logical path to follow someone she barely knew for life when she's only 15 and enslave herself tighter than even normal barons would to that family. She has no choices on who she married, when she can cultivate, where she is going to settle, who she can ask to join her family, how she can act, how she can dress or even how she treats her mortal family. She needs her owners approval for it all.
In closing, you want a book of where a girl who had a bright future and gave it all up for a safe life owned by a powerful family? This is your series. Great character interactions and development of relationships, very realistic.
Wanted a fun story where a girl goes against the odds, takes the risks and makes her own choices? A girl who rises to the top on her own merits and not due to gifts from wealthy people? Nope. This isn't for you. There is no great tales here of daring adventure. Just someone willingly putting a collar on their neck for a chance at safety.
May 23, 2024
I still really enjoy Ling Qi, and hanging out with her as she grows (in both power and characterization) and experiences life. I appreciated that there were some actual (if mild) consequences for her aversion to social gatherings, and that she sees she actually needs to make effort with the other provincial nobility if she wants to be able to accomplish anything as the retainer for the heir of a province leader.
I also liked that there were more stakes, particularly at the end with the cloud warrior attack, then just students fighting without being allowed to kill each other. And the new characters from the inner sect, as well as a couple like Xiao from the outer, fit in well and expanded the world. It's nice to feel like the other characters have their own lives and other friend groups/acquaintances outside of Qi, and more important to them than her - it makes the world feel bigger and more lived-in.
On the con side, you can really tell that this is part of a choose-the-next-step quest story. While it is blended decently well, some of the 'and then Qi had three options and she needed to make a choice, here is a paragraph describing each option' portions of the story were unsubtle and took me out of it a little. In addition, the pacing could vary wildly between expositing about a technique in great detail or mentioning in two paragraphs that she now learned three new levels to one technique and mastered another.
Altogether, I still enjoy being immersed in the world, and look forward to what will happen with the war between the cloud warriors and the sect, the relationship between Cai Renxiang and her mother (which, what we've gotten so far is extremely yikes and I continue to feel awful for Renxiang), what the Bais are doing, etc.
I also liked that there were more stakes, particularly at the end with the cloud warrior attack, then just students fighting without being allowed to kill each other. And the new characters from the inner sect, as well as a couple like Xiao from the outer, fit in well and expanded the world. It's nice to feel like the other characters have their own lives and other friend groups/acquaintances outside of Qi, and more important to them than her - it makes the world feel bigger and more lived-in.
On the con side, you can really tell that this is part of a choose-the-next-step quest story. While it is blended decently well, some of the 'and then Qi had three options and she needed to make a choice, here is a paragraph describing each option' portions of the story were unsubtle and took me out of it a little. In addition, the pacing could vary wildly between expositing about a technique in great detail or mentioning in two paragraphs that she now learned three new levels to one technique and mastered another.
Altogether, I still enjoy being immersed in the world, and look forward to what will happen with the war between the cloud warriors and the sect, the relationship between Cai Renxiang and her mother (which, what we've gotten so far is extremely yikes and I continue to feel awful for Renxiang), what the Bais are doing, etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2025
Together with Cai Renxiang, she shot forward, the sun and the shadow that chased it.
First of all I’m loving the slow development of Ling Qi’s and Cai Renxiangs bond. They compliment each other so well. And I can already envision the powerhouses they’ll become together.
This was another great book. I feel like so many of the events that occurred were almost poetic in how they challenged Ling Qi. I’ve loved watching her grow. Her personal growth feels incredibly natural as she figures out herself and her place in the world and what she wants from it. I’m excited for her to full develop her domain.
Also I love the relationship between all of Ling Qi’s spirits, and their relationship with her, her friends and family. They are never made to feel like unimportant side characters. They matter. They have their own growth happening.
The main storyline was very interesting. The opportunity for more real life combat for Ling Qi is always a wonderful read. Everything is so easy to visualise. I’m so proud of how far our girl has come.
I’m curious to see what will happen with the sect now we have a “big bad” (in a sense) to deal with. And what Ling Qi’s role in it will be.
Onto book five!
First of all I’m loving the slow development of Ling Qi’s and Cai Renxiangs bond. They compliment each other so well. And I can already envision the powerhouses they’ll become together.
This was another great book. I feel like so many of the events that occurred were almost poetic in how they challenged Ling Qi. I’ve loved watching her grow. Her personal growth feels incredibly natural as she figures out herself and her place in the world and what she wants from it. I’m excited for her to full develop her domain.
Also I love the relationship between all of Ling Qi’s spirits, and their relationship with her, her friends and family. They are never made to feel like unimportant side characters. They matter. They have their own growth happening.
The main storyline was very interesting. The opportunity for more real life combat for Ling Qi is always a wonderful read. Everything is so easy to visualise. I’m so proud of how far our girl has come.
I’m curious to see what will happen with the sect now we have a “big bad” (in a sense) to deal with. And what Ling Qi’s role in it will be.
Onto book five!
April 9, 2022
Another brilliant read, and a trustworthy author
Absolutely loved this book, and it continues to showcase a truly talented and dedicated author. It's rare to find a fantasy author able to consistantly release quality work and yet stick with their own solid pacing. We get an influx of newer characters without losing any relevant old ones and as our heroine Ling Qi grows readers continue to get a clearer visual of the story at large and the major players that will shadow Ling Qi's turbulent life as an immortal. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment, and would feel confidant following more of the authors work in other stories.
Absolutely loved this book, and it continues to showcase a truly talented and dedicated author. It's rare to find a fantasy author able to consistantly release quality work and yet stick with their own solid pacing. We get an influx of newer characters without losing any relevant old ones and as our heroine Ling Qi grows readers continue to get a clearer visual of the story at large and the major players that will shadow Ling Qi's turbulent life as an immortal. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment, and would feel confidant following more of the authors work in other stories.
November 7, 2022
Great book. Recommended!
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-forge-...
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-forge-...
November 9, 2022
Fantastic book! Can't wait for the next volume :)
November 14, 2022
I am absolutely LOVING this series. I’m listening to it on audible and it’s just really compelling. I’ve gotten quite attached to several characters, and I can’t wait to see what they do next!
January 5, 2023
3.75/5
Not as engaging as the previous installments in the series.
Not as engaging as the previous installments in the series.
May 4, 2023
Good read
Good read as the book before a very good read and we'll written I enjoyed this book so go to number 1 and enjoy
Good read as the book before a very good read and we'll written I enjoyed this book so go to number 1 and enjoy
February 6, 2024
Another great entry!
April 1, 2024
Fewer big moments than previous volumes, but still a solid climb and expansion of the existing characters and setting.
May 26, 2024
Another hit! This series is truly candy.
February 25, 2025
Rating is for all Yrsillar works. Simply amazing.
November 12, 2025
Loved it. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. This was 4 of 9 with 5 more to experience. If they prove as good as the first four, I’ll be quite happy
May 23, 2022
the boock is beautyfull
March 23, 2023
Having moved to the Inner Sect, it is time for Ling Qi to settle in the new environment through training, awkward gatherings, training, dealing with spirits and confronting things from her own past. Much like previous volumes it is a slow burn slice-of-life cultivation novel with the same strength and weaknesses of earlier volumes. I like the MC and the world, and there are some decent character growth for the MC and her friends (who very much feel like characters who have their own lives). Towards the end of the volume we are seeing some signs of a more overarching threat plot showing itself, making me very curious of what is to come next. All in all, an entertaining cultivation novel, that is more about the journey than the destination, but if you dislike slice-of-life, how did you get to volume 4?
June 9, 2024
I must say that this has been the weakest volume yet but the second half was much better than the first.
Compared to Forge of Destiny there was no action. However, some of the quests were fun and I DID cry in that ONE scene. 😭
The ending promises loads of action in the next volume so...🤞🏻(edit: yes volume 2 is MUCH better)
Ling Qi's past trauma is talked about a lot (abusive customers of sex-workers, not MC) and I think she might start healing soon (she still perceives romance negatively but she has met people who actually WANT to be together and she is trying to see the world from a different POV – as an adult, not a scared child).
The audiobook narration was perfect as always 🩵
Compared to Forge of Destiny there was no action. However, some of the quests were fun and I DID cry in that ONE scene. 😭
The ending promises loads of action in the next volume so...🤞🏻(edit: yes volume 2 is MUCH better)
Ling Qi's past trauma is talked about a lot (abusive customers of sex-workers, not MC) and I think she might start healing soon (she still perceives romance negatively but she has met people who actually WANT to be together and she is trying to see the world from a different POV – as an adult, not a scared child).
The audiobook narration was perfect as always 🩵
February 9, 2023
awesome
I really love all these books. A girl who can kick ass with a flute gets both my thumbs up. I love her snake best friend and how they’re developed in the cultivation world. This is a great addition to this series as it depicts the world outside the sect and how the main characters will engage with it. It’s a great series!
I really love all these books. A girl who can kick ass with a flute gets both my thumbs up. I love her snake best friend and how they’re developed in the cultivation world. This is a great addition to this series as it depicts the world outside the sect and how the main characters will engage with it. It’s a great series!
July 29, 2024
I like that we're delving more into the MC's character and consequences of choices.
Still good on reread, catch different details
Still good on reread, catch different details
November 26, 2025
4.5 stars
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